Compare towns

Worcester vs Westminster vs Ripton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Westminster has the most kids (28.4% under 18).
Ripton has the highest household income ($113k).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureWorcesterWestminsterRipton
People
Population
831Highest
497Lowest
508
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
—
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47±2.7
9% above VT
43.3±11.5Lowest
about the VT average
47.7±14.2Highest
11% above VT
Ripton and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.8%±3.9
VT: 17.9%
28.4%±7.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
19.5%±2.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
19.7%±11.4
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53%Highest
VT: 43.8%
45.4%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
48%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±4.7
VT: 7%
2.2%±3.5Lowest
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below VT
$81,000±$22k
about the VT average
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
Ripton and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,100±$27kLowest
14% below VT
$313,600±$39k
about the VT average
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
Ripton and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$136Highest
17% below VT
$749±$315Lowest
39% below VT
—
Worcester and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,421Lowest
12% below VT
$4,480
11% below VT
$4,915Highest
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.5%±37
VT: 48.4%
6.1%±43.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%
VT: 10.1%
2.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.9%
VT: 73.2%
80.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
same as VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1973
3 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 min
22% above VT
30 minHighest
26% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
Work from home
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
23.1%±15.9
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Worcester and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — #53 of 70 in VT —
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 — Addison Central Unified Union School District #55
High school in town None in town — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story None yet None yet None yet

VT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.